Livraria Bertrand

Livraria Bertrand is the oldest and largest bookstore chain in Portugal. Since it was launched in 1732, the Chiado Bertrand Bookstore stayed open, and has thus entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest bookstore in the world still in operation.Founded in 1732 by Pedro Faure, the first Bertrand opened its doors in Rua Direita do Loreto. In 1755, his son in law who ran the bookstore was, due to the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, forced to settle with the Capela de Nossa Senhora das Necessidades, returning, eighteen years later, in 1773, to the Pombaline Lower Town area.

Livraria Bertrand then became part of the cultural itinerary of the city. Chiado then was frequented by Alexandre Herculano, Oliveira Martins, Eca de Queiros, Antero de Quental and Ramalho Ortigão, prominent literary figures, who would drop in for conversation with friends or literary gatherings.